When?

[Emerana]

When did you start calling yourself a "photographer"? I have been shooting a month, so I call myself a picture taker

 

[Sideburns]

It depends who I'm talking to whether I do or not. But I'll be honest with you...I'm not a photographer really...I'm workin on it, though.

 

[Stranger]

i prefer to call myself an artist, I dont make any money with photos and photographer seems a bit professional for what i like to do.

 

[JerryPH]

At this point in my evolution, I am an enthusiastic amateur "something"... lol.
Camera buff? Maybe.
Photographer? Not quite earned that yet, IMHO.

I have lots of time to earn that in my own eyes, though. No rush. It is only a word... and words tend to want to classify. I have no desire to classify my status in this hobby any deeper at this moment than perhaps "a seeker of the pleasures in learning photography" for now.

 

[Garbz]

When you are a) making money, b) everyone calls you a photographer, c) you have the urge to join some social title to gain a sense of self awareness even though you're still just a picture taker.

 

[LaFoto]

When did you start calling yourself a "photographer"?

Never did. Never will.
Others did, though, even in the newspaper, but those weren't my words!

"I like to take photos" is my way of putting it.

 

[Battou]

When I took on an administrative position on Photo-Lucidity. Other than that I am just a guy with a camera and film.

 

[RKW3]

I think I've earned to call my self a photographer, come on people. A good one? Not really. Pro? Definitely NOT.

But I don't think the term "photographer" means professional or good by any means, now days at least.

 

[That One Guy]

calling yourself a photographer is one thing. calling yourself a professional photographer is quite another.

i have always called myself a photographer, even when i first started. when i talk to other people about my VERY EXPEN$IVE passion, i say i am learning to be a good photographer. when i speak to fellow photographers i say that i am learning to see.

if you were playing drums (good or not) you would still be a drummer.

 

[Trenton Romulox]

I call myself a photographer.

 

[Christie Photo]

Interesting question. I'm a photographer. I make photographs for a living. It's my "day job." I can't remember when it was that I first felt comfortable with the title.

On weekends, I work as a music director at church. I plan all the selections, rehearse the choir and other instrumentalists, play at least three services every week, and I am compensated. I've been doing this for more then 10 years, but I'm REALLY reluctant to call myself a musician. I will occasionally own up to being a novice musician.

I suspect it's different for each of us. I think it has something to do with self-image. I suppose once I felt competent to take on photography jobs and feel confident that I could CONSITANTLY deliver good results... that's when I felt I was a photographer. I consider myself a portrait photographer and a commercial photographer (product and industrial work with some architecture). I would bow out of any fashion work and some photojournalism.

Interesting to think about.

-Pete

 

[Alpha]

When I started taking pride in my work.

 

[rmh159]

I've evolved into calling myself a "serious amateur photographer" if someone seems to be asking about me level of ability. In general though I just take pics to decorate my house so I don't sweat it too much.

 

[TCimages]

I think of a photographer as someone who does this for a living. I do it because I have a passion for it as with many of my other hobbies, but I don't think this makes me a photographer.

 

[Freedbaby]

I think I will go with "weekend warrior".........

I have the interest level of a "Professional Photographer"
In dollars enough equipment to be an "Amateur photographer"
The camera in my hand enough to be "a little obsessed"
and the knowledge to be just a "snap shot artist" getting much better.

Titles are really Society driven

Freedbaby